Connector with safety latch for a surgical retractor

ABSTRACT

A connector for a surgical retractor is shown. The connector includes a body member having an opening for receiving a nipple of a retractor blade. The connector also includes a retainer pivotally attached to the body member between an open position and a closed position. A lock mechanism locks the retainer in the closed position so that the nipple of the retractor blade is locked in the connector. A safety latch constrains the lock mechanism when the retainer is in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.11/219,847 filed Sep. 7, 2005.

BACKGROUND

Surgical procedures often require the creation of a surgical exposure toallow a surgeon to reach deeper regions of the body. The surgicalexposure is usually started with an incision of a suitable depth.Surgical instruments known as retractors are then inserted into theincision and used to pull back skin, muscle and other soft tissue topermit access to the desired area.

A typical retractor is made up of a retractor body attached to one ormore retractor blades. Retractor blades are smooth, thin plates withdull edges that are inserted into the incision to pull back the tissue.Retractor blades come in many different sizes depending on theparticular application and physical characteristics of the patient.Retractor blades may be slightly curved or completely flat and may haveend prongs of various configurations to make it easier to pull backtissue. The retractor blades can be attached to a wide variety ofretractor bodies, such as for hand-held and self-retaining retractors.

Hand-held retractors are made up of a simple grip attached to aretractor blade. The retractor blade may be fixed or interchangeable.The retractor blade is inserted into the incision and then the grip isused to pull back the blade to create the surgical exposure. The gripmay be attached at an angle to the retractor blade to make it easier topull back on the blade. Hand-held retractors must be held in place byhand in order to maintain the surgical exposure.

Self-retaining retractors have specialized retractor bodies that allowthem to maintain a surgical exposure without needing to be held in placeby hand. Two common self-retaining retractors are longitudinalretractors and transverse retractors.

Longitudinal retractors have a retractor body made up of two seesawingarms with a pair of opposed retractor blades on their respective ends.The retractor body typically has a ratcheting mechanism to lock apartthe two opposed retractor blades and hold them in place. This maintainsthe surgical exposure without the need for the retractor to be held inplace by hand. The two arms may be hinged to facilitate access to theretraction site. The retractor blades may be either fixed orinterchangeable.

Transverse retractors have a retractor body made up of a transverse rackwith a fixed arm and a sliding arm. The fixed arm and sliding arm haveopposed retractor blades on their respective ends. The sliding armtypically has a turnkey that operates a ratcheting mechanism, whichratchets the sliding arm away from the fixed arm and locks apart theretractor blades. The two arms may be hinged to facilitate access to theretraction site. The retractor blades may be either fixed orinterchangeable.

For interchangeable retractor blades, there are several connectordesigns for allowing the retractor blades to be interchangeably attachedto the retractor body. One connector is the top-loading ball snapdesign, which resembles the mechanism found in common ball-and-socketwrench kits.

The ball snap design uses a top-loading socket which fits over the topof the ball snap. The retractor blades used with the ball snap designtypically have a top end bent at a right angle to create a perpendicularsection on which the ball snap is mounted.

The ball snap design allows the retractor blades to positively lock intothe top-loading socket. This allows the entire retractor to be assembledand handed to the surgeon without the risk of the retractor bladesfalling off. It also permits the entire retractor to be repositioned inthe incision without the risk of the retractor blades becoming detachedfrom the retractor body.

However, many surgeons prefer to position the retractor blades firstbefore attaching the retractor body. Positioning the retractor bladesfirst makes it much easier for the surgeon to create a precise surgicalexposure before attaching the retractor body. Pre-positioning of theretractor blades also facilitates the selection of the proper retractorblade length and width.

With the ball snap design, the surgeon must line up the sockets in theretractor body over the tops of the ball snaps before snapping theretractor blades in place. This is a difficult process, as the retractorbody arms must be aligned over the ball snaps precisely in order toattach the retractor blades. This alignment process is complicated bythe hinged arms and ratcheting mechanisms often found in retractorbodies.

Current side-loading designs attempt to address these problems by makingit easier to load the retractor blades into the retractor body after thesurgeon has pre-positioned the retractor blades. Current side-loadingdesigns use a post or rail that allow the retractor blades to be loadedfrom the side. This allows the retractor body to be placed between theretractor blades and then simply opened up to engage the retractorblades from the side.

However, current side-loading designs do not allow the retractor bladesto be positively locked into the retractor body. This means the entireretractor cannot be assembled and then handed to a surgeon without therisk of the retractor blades falling off. The retractor blades are heldin place only by the opposing force of the retracted tissue and maybecome detached from the retractor body if the surgeon tries toreposition the retractor blades inside the incision. Furthermore,current side-loading designs often misalign, resulting in a poorconnection between the retractor blade and the retractor body.

What is needed is a surgical retractor with interchangeable retractorblades, where the retractor body can accept the retractor blades easilywithout the need for precise alignment and where the retractor bladescan be positively locked into the retractor body.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a connector includes a body member having anopening for receiving a nipple of a retractor blade. The connector alsoincludes a retainer pivotally attached to the body member between anopen position and a closed position. A lock mechanism locks the retainerin the closed position so that the nipple of the retractor blade islocked in the connector. A safety latch constrains the lock mechanismwhen the retainer is in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the invention are illustrated, without limitation, in theaccompanying figures in which like numeral references refer to likeelements and wherein:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show perspective diagrams of a surgical retractorblade for use with a connector in with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show perspective and cut away diagrams of aconnector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective and cut away diagrams of a connector inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show perspective diagrams of a connector in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a surgical retractor includingconnectors in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show perspective diagrams of a connector in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a surgical retractor includingconnectors in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles are shown byway of examples of systems and methods described. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the examples. It will be apparent however,to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the examples may be practicedwithout limitation to these specific details. In other instances, wellknown methods and structures are not described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure understanding of the examples.

In an example, a connector for a surgical retractor includes a bodymember, a retainer and a lock mechanism. The body member includes anopening for receiving a nipple of a retractor blade. The retainer ispivotally attached to the body member between an open position and aclosed position. The nipple of the retractor blade, when placed into theopening of the body member, engages a mating portion of the retainer andcauses the retainer to pivot from the open position to the closedposition. The lock mechanism maintains the retainer in the closedposition when the nipple is fully inserted into the opening of the bodymember. Once fully inserted, the nipple may only be removed bydisengaging the locking mechanism. In one example, the connectorincludes a spring to bias the retainer in an open position. In thiscase, when disengaging the locking mechanism, the retainer ejects, orhelps to eject, the nipple from the opening of the body member.

In one example, the opening of the connector is approximatelysemi-annular in shape and adapted to receive a generally cylindricalnipple. Correspondingly, the mating portion of the retainer issemi-annular and cylindrical. The opening may also include a ridge foraligning with an annular trench located around the periphery of thenipple.

In another example, the opening of the connector is approximatelysemi-annular in shape and adapted to receive a tapered nipple.Correspondingly, the mating portion of the retainer is semi-annular andtapered. The opening may also include a ridge for aligning with anannular trench located around the periphery of the nipple.

In yet another example, the lock mechanism may include a push buttonhaving a base and a shoulder. The base of the push button may reside orpartially reside within the retainer while the shoulder is spring biasedtowards the body member. As the retainer pivots, the shoulder of thepush button rides along a slot until the retainer is fully closed. Atthat point, the shoulder of the push button engages, or pushes into, arecessed notch within the body member. This positively locks theretainer in the closed position until a user disengages the lockingmechanism by pushing the push button.

In yet another example, the lock mechanism may include a pawl pivotallyattached to the body member between a release position and a lockposition. A distal end of the retainer is shaped to mate with the pawlsuch that the pawl retains the retainer in the closed position. The pawlis spring biased into a lock position but remains in a release positionuntil the retainer is in the closed position.

With reference first to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, there is shown a surgicalretractor blade 100 including a nipple 102. The nipple 102 is generallycylindrical, with a top surface 104 and a side surface 106. The topsurface 104 may have rounded edges to facilitate loading of theretractor blade 100. The side surface 106 may contain a groove 108. Thegroove 108 may be circumferential around the nipple 102. The nipple 102may also have a fixing pin 110.

The retractor blade 100 may be rectangular or trapezoidal in shape andmay be flat or curved. The retractor blade 100 may also be configured ata right angle rear a proximal end 112 wherein the nipple 102 isattached. The retractor blade 100 has a distal end 114 that may beangled to allow it to reach around and pull back soft tissue. Theretractor blade 100 may also contain one or more prongs 116 at itsdistal end. The prongs 116 may be of different shapes and sizesdepending on the application.

The retractor blade 100 may be constructed of plastic, ceramic,aluminum, stainless steel or titanium. A set of retractor blades mayalso be color-coded with an anodized finish for quick selection of thedesired size and length.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a connector 200 for a surgicalretractor (shown in FIG. 5). The connector 200 includes a body member202, a retainer 204, a lock mechanism 206 and a spring 208. The bodymember 202 includes an opening 210 for receiving a nipple of a retractorblade such as the one described in FIG. 1. However, the opening 210 maybe adapted to receive various types of retractor blades having varioustypes of nipples or connector heads. The retainer 204 is pivotallymounted to the body member 202 at a pivot point and pivots between anopen position and a closed position. FIG. 2A shows the retainer 204 inthe closed position. The spring 208 biases the retainer 204 in the openposition. The biasing provides a force which allows the retainer 204 toeject the nipple from the opening 210 of the body member 202.

The opening 210 of the body member 202 is approximately semi-annular inshape and adapted to receive a generally cylindrical nipple.Correspondingly, a mating portion 214 of the retainer is semi-annularand cylindrical. The opening 202 may also include a ridge 216 (shown inFIG. 2B) for aligning with an annular trench located around theperiphery of the nipple.

FIG. 2B shows a cut away diagram of the connector 200 of FIG. 2A. Asshown in FIG. 2B, the locking mechanism 206 includes a push button 218,a post 220, a shoulder 222, a base 224 and a spring 226. The body member202 includes a slot 228 and a recessed notch 230. The base 224 andspring 226 are partially mounted in the retainer 204. The spring 226biases the shoulder 222 against a surface of the body member 202 whilethe post 220 lies in the slot 228. When the retainer 204 is in theclosed position, the shoulder 222 slides into the recess 230 and locksthe retainer 204 in the closed position. Pushing the push button 218moves the shoulder 222 out of the recess 230 and allows the retainer 204to move to the open position. FIG. 2B also illustrates a notch 232 formating with a fixing pin of the nipple in order to prevent axialrotation of the retractor blade.

FIG. 2C shows another cut away diagram of the connector 200 of FIG. 2A.As shown in FIG. 2C, the retractor 204 is in the closed position. Thespring 226 has forced the shoulder 222 of the locking mechanism 206 intothe notch 230. When a user pushes the push button 218 and overcomes theforce of the spring 226, the shoulder 222 leaves the notch 230 and thepost 220 is able to slide along the slot 228 thus allowing the retainer204 to move from the closed position to the open position. The spring208 applies force to the retainer 204 ejecting the nipple from theopening 210 of the body member 202.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a connector 300 for a surgicalretractor (shown in FIG. 5). The connector 300 includes a body member302, a retainer 304, a lock mechanism 306. Also shown in FIG. 3A is aretractor blade 308 having a tapered nipple 310. The body member 302includes an opening 312 for receiving the nipple 310 of the retractorblade 308. The retainer 304 is pivotally mounted to the body member 302at a pivot point and pivots between an open position and a closedposition. FIG. 3A shows the retainer 304 in the open position.

The opening 312 of the body member 302 is approximately semi-annular inshape and adapted to receive the tapered nipple 310. Correspondingly, amating portion 314 of the retainer is semi-annular and tapered.

FIG. 3B shows a cut away diagram of the connector 300 of FIG. 3A withthe retainer 304 in the closed position retaining the nipple 310therein. As shown in FIG. 3B, the locking mechanism 306 includes a pushbutton 318, a post 320, a shoulder 322, a base 324 and a spring 326. Thebody member 302 includes a slot 328 and a recessed notch 330. The base324 and spring 326 are partially mounted in the retainer 304. The spring326 biases the shoulder 322 against a surface of the body member 302while the post 320 lies in the slot 328. When the retainer 304 is in theclosed position, the shoulder 322 slides into the recess 330 and locksthe retainer 304 in the closed position. Pushing the push button 318moves the shoulder 322 out of the recess 330 and allows the retainer 304to move to the open position illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a connector 400 for a surgicalretractor (shown in FIG. 5). The connector 400 includes a body member402, a retainer 404 and a lock mechanism 406. Also shown in FIG. 4A is anipple 408 for a retractor blade. The body member 402 includes anopening 410 for receiving the nipple 408 of the retractor blade. Theretainer 404 is pivotally mounted to the body member 402 at a pivotpoint and pivots between an open position and a closed position. Aspring 426 biases the retainer 404 in the open position. The distal end412 of the retainer 404 is in contact with a surface 414 of the lockingmechanism (or pawl) 406 while the retainer 404 is in the open position.The pawl (or locking mechanism) 406 is pivotally mounted to the bodymember 402 between a release position and a lock position. A spring 420biases the pawl 406 in the lock position. While the retainer 404 is inthe open position, the surface 414 of the pawl is in contact with thedistal end 412 of the retainer 404.

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the connector 400 of FIG. 4A withthe retainer 404 in the closed position retaining the nipple 408therein. The spring 420 biases and holds the pawl 406 in the lockposition. The distal end 412 of the retainer 406 contacts a surface 416and is prevented from moving to the open position by a ridge 418. Thepawl 406 therefore maintains the retainer 406 in the closed position. Ifa handle 422 of the pawl 406 is pushed, pivoting the pawl 406 to therelease position, the ridge 418 moves away from the distal end 412 ofthe retainer 404 and allows the retainer 404 to move to the openposition from the force of the spring 426.

As with the previously described embodiments, the opening 410 of thebody member 402 may be approximately semi-annular in shape and adaptedto receive a generally cylindrical nipple. Correspondingly, a matingportion 424 of the retainer may be semi-annular and cylindrical.Alternatively, the opening 410 of the body member 402 may beapproximately semi-annular in shape and adapted to receive a taperednipple. Correspondingly, a mating portion 424 of the retainer issemi-annular and tapered. Although the opening 410 is illustrated ascylindrical or tapered, the opening 410 may have any shape adapted toreceive various types of retractor blades having various types ofnipples or connector heads.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a surgical retractor assembly 500.The assembly 500 includes a surgical retractor 502, two connectors 504and two retractor blades 506. The retractor blades 506 include nipples508 which are retained within the connectors 504 as shown in theembodiments described above.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show perspective views of a connector 600 for a surgicalretractor (shown in FIG. 7). The connector 600 includes a body member602, a retainer 604, a lock mechanism 606 and a safety latch 608. Thebody member 602 includes an opening 610 for receiving a nipple of aretractor blade such as the one described in FIG. 1. However, theopening 610 may be adapted to receive various types of retractor bladeshaving various types of nipples or connector heads. Additionally, theconnector 600 is a front loading connecting with the opening 610 locatedin front of the connector 600 rather than on the side of the connectorwhich is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The retainer 604 is pivotally mountedto the body member 602 at a pivot point and pivots between an openposition and a closed position.

The connector 600 includes the safety latch 608 which is pivotallymounted to the body member 602. The safety latch 608 includes a grip 610and a shoulder 612. The grip 610 provides a user with a surface to applyforce thus pivoting the safety latch 608. The shoulder 612 engages thelock mechanism 606 between a space and the body 602. This engagementreduces the risk that the user accidentally pushes opens the lockmechanism 606 during use. Once the user attaches a blade to theconnector 600, the spring loaded safety latch 608 pivots into place. Asshown in FIG. 6A, the locking mechanism 606 is now constrained intoposition and will not release until the user pivots the safety latch 608out of position and presses the lock mechanism. The user may apply forceto the grip 610 thus pivoting the safety latch 608 from under the lockmechanism 606. Once out of the way, the user may press the lockmechanism 606 to open the retainer 604 as shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a surgical retractor assembly 700including front loading connectors as shown in FIG. 6. The assembly 700includes a surgical retractor arm 602 connected to a second “L” shapedsurgical retractor arm 704. The assembly 700 may include a plurality ofblades 706 having nipples 708 retained in connectors 710.

What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of thesystems and methods described herein along with some of theirvariations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are setforth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations.Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations arepossible within the spirit and scope of these examples, which areintended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents inwhich all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unlessotherwise indicated.

1. A connector that retains a surgical retractor, the connectorcomprising: a body member having a top surface and an opening shaped andsized to receive a nipple of a retractor blade; a retainer pivotallyattached to the body member between an open position and a closedposition; a lock mechanism, disposed on the retainer, that is shaped tolock the retainer in the closed position, wherein the nipple of theretractor blade is locked in the connector, the lock mechanismcomprising a push button including a base at least partially residingwithin the retainer; and a safety latch pivotally mounted to the topsurface of the body member that constrains the lock mechanism when theretainer is in the closed position, the safety latch comprising ashoulder that slides into a recess between the push button of the lockmechanism and the top surface of the body member to constrain the lockmechanism in place while the retainer is in the closed position.
 2. Theconnector of claim 1, wherein the opening of the body member isconfigured to receive a generally cylindrical nipple.
 3. The connectorof claim 2, wherein the retainer includes a semi-annular, cylindricalmating portion that contacts a surface of the generally cylindricalnipple.
 4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the opening of the bodyincludes a raised ridge that aligns with an annular trench located onthe cylindrical nipple.
 5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the openingof the body member is configured to receive a tapered nipple.
 6. Theconnector of claim 5, wherein the retainer includes a semi-annular,tapered mating portion that contacts a surface of the tapered nipple. 7.A connector that retains a surgical retractor, the connector comprising:a body member having a top surface and an opening shaped and sized toreceive a nipple of a retractor blade; a retainer pivotally attached tothe body member between an open position and a closed position; a springthat biases the retainer in the open position; a lock mechanism,disposed on the retainer, that is shaped to lock the retainer in theclosed position, wherein the nipple of the retractor blade is locked inthe connector and wherein, when unlocked, the retainer ejects the nippleof the retractor blade from the opening, the lock mechanism comprising apush button including a base at least partially residing within theretainer; and a safety latch pivotally mounted to the top surface of thebody member that constrains the lock mechanism when the retainer is inthe closed position, the safety latch comprising a shoulder that slidesinto a recess between the push button of the lock mechanism and the topsurface of the body member to constrain the lock mechanism in placewhile the retainer is in the closed position.
 8. The connector of claim7, wherein the opening of the body member is configured to receive agenerally cylindrical nipple.
 9. The connector of claim 8, wherein theretainer includes a semi-annular, cylindrical mating portion thatcontacts a surface of the generally cylindrical nipple.
 10. Theconnector of claim 9, wherein the opening of the body includes a raisedridge that aligns with an annular trench located on the cylindricalnipple.
 11. The connector of claim 7, wherein the opening of the bodymember is configured to receive a tapered nipple.
 12. The connector ofclaim 11, wherein the retainer includes a semi-annular, tapered matingportion that contacts a surface of the tapered nipple.